Relating to filing applications and custody of the respondent in an involuntary commitment proceeding

The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. This bill relates to filing applications and custody of a respondent in an involuntary commitment proceeding. The bill allows any interested person to commence an involuntary commitment substance abuse proceeding by filing a verified application in any county. If a verified application is filed in a district court of a county where the respondent is not located and does not reside, the court must transfer jurisdiction of the case to the district court of the county where the respondent is presently located or where the respondent resides. Under current law, if a person has been ordered by a court to receive treatment for a substance use disorder or a serious mental impairment and the person leaves the county where the person was ordered to receive treatment without completing the treatment and without prior authorization, the sheriffs and peace officers (officers) in the county where the person is currently located may not have the authority to take the person into custody for placement in a hospital or facility (facility) to receive treatment. The bill authorizes officers to take a person into custody in any county in which the person is found for placement at a facility to receive court-ordered treatment. The bill directs the supreme court to adopt rules to implement the bill.14B.